In the rush to kick out TDM, some have overlooked the facts about power, power consumption and power distribution. The old wares and even the new Hybrids use a lot less power than the pure IP telephones. IPT is not normally a "Green Technology" either.
IP telephones are generally speaking- "power hogs." So green washing this fact with improvements now being made to cut the power hungry IP wares consumption isn't a real cool idea. A few weeks ago I was interviewed and asked about all the claims telephony manufacturers and others are making that their wares are GREEN. Getting everyone to agree on what GREEN is, isn't easy either. Practically speaking- improvements that manufacturers are now making with IP wares does make their gear GREENER but they need to layoff the claims about being GREEN because IPT is not normally GREEN when compared to the old TDM and new Hybrid telephony systems. The IPT systems normally consume more power. So, what I gathered from the journalist that interviewed me- making these claims can be a real turn-off to users. I do think that manufacturers are trying to improve power efficiencies and that is commendable- so say we are improving, unless of course you have a specific claim to GREEN such as "we will bring our IP telephones to sub-WATT power consumption by the year XXXX."
I do think any effort to reduce the power consumption using whatever means available is a good idea. But again, IP phones are normally power hogs, especially compared to TDM and Hybrid systems already operating in the 1 WATT or sub-WATT range. What is the acceptable level of power consumption for IP telephones?
Anything from 1.5 WATTS and under is desirable and sub-WATT phones are even better. This is the amount of power that IP telephones should be drawing at maximum utilization: display on, user talking. But do these phones exist?
Sub-WATT phones maybe coming, but more than likely they will first be in the form of wireless handsets. Maybe wireless is the solution (You should know I think it is...Communicator Badge) and for the mobility of people that we know is a huge issue- it makes sense that the desk-phone should morph into something with mobility, un-tethered and capable of meeting modern human needs. Reality however, means that folks will still have two phones and for some time to come.
Until IP telephones are 1.5 WATTS or sub-WATT phones, IT will come up with work-arounds and other solutions such as Gary Audin outlined with Mitel. For existing Mitel users using Mitel IPT, this is great news. But for someone contemplating swapping out their TDM or even Hybrid system for a new Mitel IPT solution- you will pay a lot more money for energy. Now, for the record- everyone else manufacturing IP telephones- the same message applies to you. Be very careful about claiming energy savings and keep your marketing guys on a tight rope. I'm not only watching, but measuring too.
